An important feature of Hebrew wisdom literature is the use of a prologue and an epilogue to frame the main body of the work. In Proverbs 1–9, Lady Wisdom creates an appetite for the banquet which is given in chapters 10–30, and in chapter 31 she gives her final goodbye. Without the prologue and epilogue, … Read more
The Song of Songs was composed in a patricentric context, yet most scholars argue that it presents egalitarian love. Phyllis Trible argued that the Song of Songs represented a return to the Garden of Eden, where the man and woman lived in peace, harmony, and equality (Depatriarchalizing, 44–45). Trible’s interpretation has been adopted en masse. … Read more
In recent scholarship, many wisdom scholars have recognized the literary unity of the book of Ecclesiastes primarily through the framing narrative that encapsulates Qohelet’s first-person autobiography. However, debate persists regarding Qohelet’s perspective, particularly whether he maintains a royal perspective throughout the text or shifts to a non-royal stance. While some scholars argue for the recurrence … Read more
Scholarly opinion is divided regarding the relationship between the epilogue of Ecclesiastes (12:8-14) and the main discourse that precedes it (1:2-12:7). While there is near consensus that the epilogue provides the final and authoritative word for the reader in 12:13-14, there is great disagreement on how the outlook of these verses relates to the message … Read more
This paper aims to reassess the role that creation and “creation theology” (Schöpfungstheologie) play in the theology and message of Ecclesiastes. Following Zimmerli’s now seminal 1963 article “The Place and Limits of Wisdom,” it is virtually a time-treasured scholarly consensus that the theology of Israel’s ‘Wisdom Literature’ finds its proper place in the OT within … Read more
General revelation is almost always described as creation. Psalm 19 and Romans 1 are foundational for this understanding. However, wisdom literature is not normally considered general revelation though it is common throughout the ANE and has many affinities with biblical wisdom literature. Isaiah argues in this brief section that farming techniques are common sense but … Read more